Karkala: Parashuram theme park to remain closed for two more months

Tourists have been prohibited from visiting Umikkala Hill in Bailur, home to the bronze idol of Parasurama, the creator of Tulunadu.

The closure is due to ongoing construction, which is expected to last for an additional two months. The objective is to develop Karkala as a tourist attraction, marked by a 33-foot-tall statue of Parasurama on Umikka Hill.

However, certain supplementary environmental works remain incomplete, prompting the entry ban from June 26.

This project, costing around 10 crore rupees and funded in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Kannada and Culture, took two more years to finish. Although the theme park opened in January 2023, significant work remains unfinished.

The Nirmidhi Kendra, responsible for construction, conducted a year-long physical examination of the statue. Concerns over its safety prompted the need for technical modifications, leading to additional time for completion. Krishna Nayka of Honnavara crafted the idol at a cost of 2 crores.

The Parashurama idol depicts him holding an ax in his right hand, a bow in his left, and his left leg raised. Due to the weight of the ax and bow, adjustments are required to ensure long-lasting preservation.